Al-Mashat: We seek to achieve integrated effective development cooperation relations with all multilateral and bilateral development partners.
Minister of International Cooperation H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat met with Ms. Elena Panova, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt at the headquarters of the Ministry of International Cooperation, to discuss cooperation programs for the current year and future areas of cooperation within the framework of coordinating efforts to pave the way towards effective development cooperation, in support of the national development agenda across various sectors. Al-Mashat praised the strategic partnerships with the United Nations, its agencies and programs in Egypt, as they advance towards supporting Egypt’s Vision 2030. The Minister said that the Ministry seeks to achieve more integrated cooperation with all multilateral and bilateral development partners through the three principles of Economic Diplomacy; Multi-Stakeholders Platform, the Official Development Assistance mapping to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and the Global Partnerships Narrative that puts “People at Core”, “Projects in Action,” and “Purpose as the Driver”. H.E. Al-Mashat pointed out that the Ministry was able, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, to secure development financing agreements in 2020 worth $9.8 billion; $6.7 billion for financing sovereign projects, and $3.1 billion in support of the private sector. The Minister spoke about the second phase of the structural reforms that Egypt seeks to implement after the success of the economic reform program that ensured economic resilience. The second phase of the structural reforms aims to achieve integrated sustainable economic recovery and enhance private sector engagement in development efforts. Egypt also aims to push forward to promote the transition towards a green economy through green projects, the 2035 Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy, the digital transformation across sectors, and the water desalination and treatment plants. The meeting with the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Egypt encompassed discussions about the National Project for Developing Egytian Villages within the framework of the ‘Decent Life’ initiative. Egypt aims through this project to achieve integrated development in Egyptian villages in order to improve the living conditions of the people and enhance their livelihoods. The project secures EGP 515 billion to the development of 4584 villages; affecting 58% of Egypt’s total population. Al-Mashat also discussed the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Family (2021-2023), which aims to enhance the livelihoods of the Egyptian people, supporting the most vulnerable groups in rural communities; such as women, youth, and students. During the meeting, they discussed the UN’s support for the project in collaboration with the Ministry of International Cooperation, and agreed on future steps. The strategic objective of the National Project for the Development of the Egyptian Family (2021-2023) is to enhance the Egypitan families' livelihoods by managing the population from an integrated and comprehensive perspective in order to improve citizens’ quality of life and to ensure the sustainability of the development process. For her part, Panova praised Egypt's efforts in the economic reform and the achieved results as it has maintained positive growth rates despite the COVID-19 pandemic. She also praised the ‘Decent Life’ initiative that aims to develop Egyptian villages and will have a positive impact on the health, education and employment rates. She further added that she is looking forward to new areas of cooperation with Egypt across various sectors. H.E. Al-Mashat and Richard Dictuss, former UN Resident Coordinator co-chaired the Steering Committee meeting that took place in November 2020 to strengthen the strategic partnership between Egypt and the United Nations. During the meeting, they discussed and agreed on the allocated budget to implement development projects within the strategic framework of the partnership with the United Nations in 2021. They announced that an estimated budget of $80 million will be provided for economic development, $346 million for social justice, $58 million for environmental sustainability and $48 million for women empowerment. The Ministry of International Cooperation is the National Coordinator of the United Nations Partnership Development Framework (UNPDF), co-chairing the UNPDF Steering Committee with the UN Resident Coordination. Together, Minister Al-Mashat and Ms. Panova jointly oversee the implementation of the UNPDF, which encompasses the work of 29 UN Agencies, Funds and Programs operating in Egypt including regional offices. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Ms. Elena Panova of Bulgaria as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt on January 14, 2021. Ms. Panova has over 22 years of development and management experience; including all aspects of program management; cross-areas collaboration and resource mobilization, with specific experience in government and private sector financing.